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nuriamm's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Bookish friends, I hope you’re all happy with your smug smiles knowing I had no idea what was about to hit me. For that last half, I turned as feral romance reader as one can get without waking up the household with giddy squealing. It was a close call.
Everything I love about historical romance right here but within such a refreshing scenario of cliffside archery tournaments. The rivals rivaled, the banter bantered, the arbitrary societal strictures that would have completely accidental, innocent near-death experiences turned into total reputation annihilation…did their thing. Such a new favorite I self-sabotaged and absolutely slept too long on.
But we’ll start with our hero, of course. We have ourselves a delectably layered one. Mr. Tristan Gates, all capable, self-assured, commanding presence, an orphan/adopted heir turned ambitious self-made man that would rather wittle his own bow with a pen knife, and possibly even poke himself with it, than attend a social function. He’s a young’un but really he’s one of those where we’re just waiting for his age to catch up with his personality. And that is of a stoic, awkward grump with a protective streak that will just devastate you with how matter-of-fact he is with the “If this is important to you, it is to me” wielding. Seeing him fall was the absolute best because of the “The harder they fall” of it all. As Disney’s Belle admired, “And now he’s dear and so unsure” as his POV turns into a self-deprecating, self-sacrificing goner. I mean, thank goodness my kids sleep with white noise machines.
And Tristan may be a lot more than just a grump, but Miss Marigold Cartwell is not exactly sunshine either. She’s like a, both literal and figurative, straight-shooting, sardonic gale. In his own famous last words: “I did not fear a challenge, and Marigold was the very definition of the word.”
Again, one of my favorite aspects of historical: it’s not just about joining a dumb boys-only archery club. Even within her privilege, highly competent, ambitious, if not impetuous, women like Mari had very little of individual satisfaction and control, much less seeing their reaching to having it “all” fulfilled. I loved how this worked within those context limitations while still pushing just enough. A girl could and can have her sports club, her supportive community, her due recognition, her loving family, AND her rival-turned-ally-turned-champion-turned-love. Add swoon-your-bonnet-off gestures and kisses. Can’t forget those. Won’t forget those.
When we have such a tense “Will they get the words out?” build up to a resolution so fabulously full-circle, the squealing turns to cheering. I do love a couple you know will be lovingly bickering, one-upping and wagering into the here after. So happy I could stave off my stubborn ways enough to finally read this love story perfection.
Conter notes: Kissing Only. Mention of parent-loss grief.
Everything I love about historical romance right here but within such a refreshing scenario of cliffside archery tournaments. The rivals rivaled, the banter bantered, the arbitrary societal strictures that would have completely accidental, innocent near-death experiences turned into total reputation annihilation…did their thing. Such a new favorite I self-sabotaged and absolutely slept too long on.
But we’ll start with our hero, of course. We have ourselves a delectably layered one. Mr. Tristan Gates, all capable, self-assured, commanding presence, an orphan/adopted heir turned ambitious self-made man that would rather wittle his own bow with a pen knife, and possibly even poke himself with it, than attend a social function. He’s a young’un but really he’s one of those where we’re just waiting for his age to catch up with his personality. And that is of a stoic, awkward grump with a protective streak that will just devastate you with how matter-of-fact he is with the “If this is important to you, it is to me” wielding. Seeing him fall was the absolute best because of the “The harder they fall” of it all. As Disney’s Belle admired, “And now he’s dear and so unsure” as his POV turns into a self-deprecating, self-sacrificing goner. I mean, thank goodness my kids sleep with white noise machines.
And Tristan may be a lot more than just a grump, but Miss Marigold Cartwell is not exactly sunshine either. She’s like a, both literal and figurative, straight-shooting, sardonic gale. In his own famous last words: “I did not fear a challenge, and Marigold was the very definition of the word.”
Again, one of my favorite aspects of historical: it’s not just about joining a dumb boys-only archery club. Even within her privilege, highly competent, ambitious, if not impetuous, women like Mari had very little of individual satisfaction and control, much less seeing their reaching to having it “all” fulfilled. I loved how this worked within those context limitations while still pushing just enough. A girl could and can have her sports club, her supportive community, her due recognition, her loving family, AND her rival-turned-ally-turned-champion-turned-love. Add swoon-your-bonnet-off gestures and kisses. Can’t forget those. Won’t forget those.
When we have such a tense “Will they get the words out?” build up to a resolution so fabulously full-circle, the squealing turns to cheering. I do love a couple you know will be lovingly bickering, one-upping and wagering into the here after. So happy I could stave off my stubborn ways enough to finally read this love story perfection.
Conter notes: Kissing Only. Mention of parent-loss grief.
lolovesbooks3's review against another edition
5.0
Well I just loved this. You know when you want to start again as soon as a book is over? I have read a lot of regency romances and this was so unique. The characters were well formed, the dialogue was intelligent and the story was interesting and character driven. I just want to scream “THANK YOU!” to Joanna Barker for writing an “enemies to lovers” where the characters actually do not like each other at the beginning! I’m so bored with “enemies to lovers” being “two people who aren’t nice to each other but secretly love each other from the start” trope! It was lovely to see them start to open up, communicate and understand each other even though they were incredibly different people with different experiences. Together, they started to become more aware of themselves and aim to change for the better. I loved that Marigold was a strong, determined and feminine woman! I loved how Tristan was strong and masculine but also encouraging and protective. Both characters had different strengths and they complimented and encouraged each other as their relationship grew. If you are a fan of sweet regency romances, read this! This one will remain on my shelves and be reread often!
maryconnors6's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 Stars
Joanna Barker is so good at regency romance! A Game of Hearts gave me [b:Emma|6969|Emma|Jane Austen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1373627931l/6969._SY75_.jpg|3360164] vibes and was a fun, floofy tale. I give this 3.5 swoon stars.
Joanna Barker is so good at regency romance! A Game of Hearts gave me [b:Emma|6969|Emma|Jane Austen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1373627931l/6969._SY75_.jpg|3360164] vibes and was a fun, floofy tale. I give this 3.5 swoon stars.
hollys_book_musings's review
5.0
A Game of Hearts by Joanna Barker
Marigold and Tristan have been enemies since they were young. Marigold always got on Tristan’s nerves and would follow him and her brother, Oliver, around as children. Tristan thought of her as that annoying sister he never had. Gosh, couldn’t she just leave us alone?
When they go head-to-head in an archery contest, Lord Beauford, head of an archery society which Tristan is a member of, threatens Marigold. So they strike a deal in private: if she wins at the next tournament, he has to allow women to join their archery society. If he wins, she promises to never compete in an archery contest again.
As the story progresses, we see how Tristan and Marigold are thrown together quite unexpectedly and under stringent circumstances. As a result, Tristan must make things right in order to save Mari’s reputation. Will they overcome their feelings of hate and despising one another? Or will they lay aside their differences and make the best of their situation and perhaps come to love each other?
Here are reasons I loved A Game of Hearts and think you will too:
Super swoony kisses
The cave incident
That storm scene!
The dual POV
Archery contests and other fun challenges and games
The hilarious thoughts inside Tristan’s head
The rivalry between FMC and MMC
The letters in chapter 23!
So many funny quotes from their banter
I loved this book so much! Way more than I thought I would. When people were saying how good this book was, they were definitely not kidding. I love everything above, plus so much more about the book. And I cannot wait for Oliver and Cora’s story! So excited!
CW: kisses only, mild peril
TW: none that I can recall
Marigold and Tristan have been enemies since they were young. Marigold always got on Tristan’s nerves and would follow him and her brother, Oliver, around as children. Tristan thought of her as that annoying sister he never had. Gosh, couldn’t she just leave us alone?
When they go head-to-head in an archery contest, Lord Beauford, head of an archery society which Tristan is a member of, threatens Marigold. So they strike a deal in private: if she wins at the next tournament, he has to allow women to join their archery society. If he wins, she promises to never compete in an archery contest again.
As the story progresses, we see how Tristan and Marigold are thrown together quite unexpectedly and under stringent circumstances. As a result, Tristan must make things right in order to save Mari’s reputation. Will they overcome their feelings of hate and despising one another? Or will they lay aside their differences and make the best of their situation and perhaps come to love each other?
Here are reasons I loved A Game of Hearts and think you will too:
Super swoony kisses
The cave incident
That storm scene!
The dual POV
Archery contests and other fun challenges and games
The hilarious thoughts inside Tristan’s head
The rivalry between FMC and MMC
The letters in chapter 23!
So many funny quotes from their banter
I loved this book so much! Way more than I thought I would. When people were saying how good this book was, they were definitely not kidding. I love everything above, plus so much more about the book. And I cannot wait for Oliver and Cora’s story! So excited!
CW: kisses only, mild peril
TW: none that I can recall
jesforeverlostinbooks's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
Awww I loved everything about this book… such a great enemies to lovers so many swoony moments… I mean that first kiss was 🤌🏼 Marigold is fierce & unconventional. She loves archery & she is driven to be the best. All she wants is to compete along side the men but women aren’t allowed. Tristan comes off a bit gruff & struggles to connect with others. He & Marigold are nemeses both on and off the field & their banter is everything! They are both flawed & I loved watching them come together & learn to understand one another. I love the family dynamics… both of their families are so supportive & loving! The ending was perfection… I can’t stop smiling… Seriously it’s just adorable! It’s the perfect read for Valentine’s Day & you can guarantee I’ll rereading this for years to come!
flowersofquiethappiness's review
3.0
Well now. That was just a load of fun! I thoroughly enjoyed this story. And the romantical bits were quite swoony.
mydesignedbalance's review
5.0
What an adorable book! It hit the bullseye for everything I hoped it would be!
“The tension wound tightly between us, a bow string stretched to its breaking point.”
This enemies to lovers’ storyline was delightful. The banter between Marigold and Tristan was excellent and had me laughing and smiling throughout the book. Their growth as individuals alongside their journey to love was believable and heartwarming. The first kiss scene! OMG! Worth re-reading over and over again and is perfection for a regency romance.
“I looked fearsome. Like Robin Hood, if he’d been a woman with golden braids and an insatiable itch to win.”
Marigold’s determination to win on the archery field and find her equality within the archery societies was inspiring. The archery theme of the story was well done and woven throughout the storyline and will have you wanting to try the sport.
Barker provided a steady paced story that will keep you turning page after page to see how the story develops. The twists and turns will keep you wondering how everything was going to end. I loved the family of both Marigold and Tristan and the development of the side characters and how they worked together and supported each other.
This is an easy five-star book for me and one that will land on my re-read shelf for sure. Without hesitation, I recommend this book.
Genre: Regency Romance
Format: eBook
Rating: 5 Stars
Reader Notes:
• Romance: Kisses
• No language or violence
• Go in blind to the story – better this way!
“The tension wound tightly between us, a bow string stretched to its breaking point.”
This enemies to lovers’ storyline was delightful. The banter between Marigold and Tristan was excellent and had me laughing and smiling throughout the book. Their growth as individuals alongside their journey to love was believable and heartwarming. The first kiss scene! OMG! Worth re-reading over and over again and is perfection for a regency romance.
“I looked fearsome. Like Robin Hood, if he’d been a woman with golden braids and an insatiable itch to win.”
Marigold’s determination to win on the archery field and find her equality within the archery societies was inspiring. The archery theme of the story was well done and woven throughout the storyline and will have you wanting to try the sport.
Barker provided a steady paced story that will keep you turning page after page to see how the story develops. The twists and turns will keep you wondering how everything was going to end. I loved the family of both Marigold and Tristan and the development of the side characters and how they worked together and supported each other.
This is an easy five-star book for me and one that will land on my re-read shelf for sure. Without hesitation, I recommend this book.
Genre: Regency Romance
Format: eBook
Rating: 5 Stars
Reader Notes:
• Romance: Kisses
• No language or violence
• Go in blind to the story – better this way!
library_of_kindredspirits's review
4.0
For a couple of days, my Instagram feed was blowing up with this book, so I knew I had to check it out. I'm glad I did. It lived up to the hype. I was laughing inside the whole time and the romance was absolutely sizzling (in a good way). The rivals to lovers and the grumpy/sunshine tropes were executed to so well and it was just plain fun. I definitely recommend it if you enjoy the 2005 adaptation of Pride & Prejudice and the 2020 adaptation of Emma.
thisbookishmom's review
5.0
This book definitely lived up to the hype! I loved it.
I love the enemies to lovers trope, but often, especially in contemporary or historical romances, it’s not really TRUE enemies. There’s usually some kind of secret pining at least on one side. But this one—they truly disliked each other! It made the book so much better as Marigold and Tristan both grew to see one another differently.
Loved the archery aspect of the book and competitiveness between the two MCs. There was great banter and so many sweet moments.
I love the enemies to lovers trope, but often, especially in contemporary or historical romances, it’s not really TRUE enemies. There’s usually some kind of secret pining at least on one side. But this one—they truly disliked each other! It made the book so much better as Marigold and Tristan both grew to see one another differently.
Loved the archery aspect of the book and competitiveness between the two MCs. There was great banter and so many sweet moments.